NYIAS 2011: Mercedes Benz A-Klasse Concept

Just after its official global unveiling at the Shanghai Motor Show, Mercedes Benz brought down the sign of things to come in the compact segment to the 2011 edition of the New York International Motor Show - the A-Klasse Concept. This is our first encounter with the new design and we are seriously impressed with the coupe-ish proportions and the front end, both of which are worlds apart from the boxy-looking version on the road today.

We’re not sure if the windswept headlamps and the elaborate pinwork grille are distracting us, but Mercedes’ new blunt nose look, that first made its way into the model lineup with the SLS AMG and the new CLS, really works with the compact proportions of the car. This is good news, because much of what we see could make it to production when the German carmaker offers the A-Klasse as a global product.

Nearly four years ago, Mercedes was considering dropping its smallest offering from the range, but if this is what the future car will look like, we are glad they didn’t. The concept is a stylized version of the upcoming 2012 A-Klasse, offering a front-wheel drive platform and an engine that is both turbocharged and has direct injection. A BlueEFFICIENCY 210 horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is fitted under the hood and is mated to a double-clutch gearbox.

Mercedes has always enjoyed being the forefront of safety-oriented technologies, so the concept is fitted with a radar-based collision-detection system, which will be the first of its kind in this segment and will help prevent the car being rear-ended when paired with Adaptive Brake Assist.